VDL will assemble battery modules for the BMW Group

By Team IO

VDL Groep will assemble battery systems on a serial basis at the Mobility Innovation Centre (MIC) in Born, the Netherlands. BMW Group commissioned an initial and long-term order. VDL will assemble about 125,000 battery modules for the German car brand’s after-sales network at least until 2035. This continues the cooperation with BMW Group, after 10 years of producing cars at VDL Nedcar. VDL is in talks with other potential clients for serial assembly of battery systems (battery modules and/or battery packs).  

The first battery modules should be delivered to BMW in about a year as preparations in Born have already started. Several dozen employees will work on the two battery lines, which will be operated in a new 30,000 square meters production hall. The lines will occupy about 10 percent of the available production capacity. 

‘Flying start’ 

“This first order for the assembly of battery modules from our partner BMW Group provides a flying start to our activities around the serial assembly of battery systems, one of the pillars of our Mobility Innovation Centre in Born,” said VDL Groep president Willem van der Leegte. “By delivering new and sustainable mobility solutions for both our partners and our own operations, we aim to be a flexible and expert innovation and industrialization partner with our Mobility Innovation Centre in Born.”

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Green Transport & Delta – Electrification  

Since 2021, VDL has been the leader of the Green Transport & Delta – Electrification project. No fewer than 28 industry partners and companies are participating in this project, aiming at developing a battery ecosystem in the Netherlands that will accelerate the transition to climate-neutral (heavy-duty) mobility. This project aims to further develop the partners’ battery systems into semi-automated battery systems.

Over the past period, a battery demo line, built at VDL in Born, has been developed and tested. The demo line has demonstrated VDL knowledge and skills in the field of industrialization and automation. VDL Groep is a cofounder and partner of the battery knowledge cluster, Battery Competence Cluster NL (BCC-NL). With knowledge and expertise, this cluster supports the Green Transport & Delta – Electrification project. 

The two new production lines are different production lines than the demolition line that is thus part of the Green Transport & Delta – Electrification project.